6-5-4-3-2-1...SAILAWAY!!! NY-CANADA June 17, 2012 /The End. Complete. Done!

[HermanTriplets+1]

I know what you mean about the photos. I got a couple of 8x10s and then one that is some odd size that I have yet to find a frame for even after a year and a half. I think I'll need to get a custom matte for it and put it in a larger frame.

When I order photos online, I ask for whatever size I want. Now I do understand that some shots are more suited to a certain size, but they really should be able to make an 8x10 into a 5x7 with a bit of zoom and crop or whatever. Don't they want to make sales? Whatever, it saved me money!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

As I approach the end of my TR, I'm filled with all sorts of thoughts and observations. Plus, I'm having trouble giving in to the end! So this post, one before "the end", is a few little lists to summarize our amazing, MAGICal trip.
(no pictures yet, maybe if the teens let me on the computer at home later I'll be able to add some, just for fun?!)


What will I try to do next time that I didn't get to this time:

*Table service breakfast - what a concept!
*Room Service - can't believe we never did room service! Aft was just too convenient to all the food places.
*Animation class - why not?
*Try to stay awake to listen to music in the lounge after the show
*Seek out more characters for pictures/be willing to wait in some lines for character pictures

What did not happen on this cruise that I've heard has happened on some others:

(which no one in the family but me "missed" at all!)
*In NY there's no "mickey ears" to walk through when boarding
*Sailaway party - they didn't give out anything to wave around
*Pirate night - pirate Mickey didn't slide in on a zipline, but arrived from Deck 10 down the stairs
*Interaction with server/waiter - they were really nice, but they didn't get into jokes/puzzles/tricks with us

What I didn't, or almost didn't, pack:

*the photomat for getting character signatures - oops!
*my BATHING SUIT! (Luckily I realized it before leaving my parents' house so I borrowed my mother's... better than nothing!)

Final Bits and Pieces:

*We had one canvas tote bag - we could have used two - for walking around the ship on sea days
*It was really crowded in the waiting room at port - with a crowd-sensitive family member I would opt to come just a bit after boarding starts, not before.
*Photos from Shutters are mostly done in 8x10 format and they don't seem able to reformat them to 5x7.
*The staterooms have great storage space and we didn't bring/didn't miss the folding hamper or over the door storage hanger.
*We needed the power strip - was glad we had brought it.
*There's a list of all the movies in the Buena Vista theater for the whole cruise - it helped us "plan" our movie time!
*The bottom of the ship is not black, it is Monica Blue, named after the person who wore the pants the exact color that they wanted.
*Cooking demonstrations (Art of Entertainment) include free wine.
*The back area in Topsiders (connecting the two sides) often has a special food/dessert bar. Don't miss it!
*We were never early for dinner, so we never had to wait on a line to be seated!
*I should have removed the yellow Sharpie from the pack I gave to Guest Services for signing our pillowcases. You can't really see the yellow signature.
*I still don't get why they call the Eastern Canada cruises "New England Coast".
*teens who didn't "grow up Disney" can still get totally into it!
*the teens really enjoyed the freedom, the 24/7 food, and the relaxed atmosphere of a cruise
*we brought cardboard cup transporters thinking it would be good if someone goes to get drinks for more than one person - we never needed them! DH still teasing me on that since he was the one who had to get the cup holders the day before we left.
*we didn't bring Tervis/plastic/thermal/sport mugs. Luckily, we didn't miss them! The cups at the drink station were big enough for our needs.
*both of the above two "tidbits" were made possible by having our room "aft" so we were really close to the drinks!

Those are my summary thoughts - so glad to have had you aboard and sharing my TR. Tomorrow, New York City....

 

[jenseib]

So sad it's over...I really liked your tips and tidbits

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

So sad it's over...I really liked your tips and tidbits

Thanks! One more morning to write about - with some really nice pics by DH who woke up to see the ship enter NY harbor!

Of all my tidbits, this one captures our family the best:

*We were never early for dinner, so we never had to wait on a line to be seated!....

We are never early, ANYWHERE!!!!

 

[LittleGirlGrey]

You had a great trip report! And it looked like you guys had A LOT of fun! Are you guys for sure doing another Cruise then?

I totally agree about the crowds for boarding and for waiting for dinner. My mom and I always get there early, but now I have large crowd issues I probably will make sure we get there on time or a little late.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

You had a great trip report! And it looked like you guys had A LOT of fun! Are you guys for sure doing another Cruise then?

We really did have a great trip. I think that of all 6 of us, 5 would do another cruise tomorrow but DH would have to look at it and consider. Though he did agree to booking a dummy cruise, accepting that I was hooked and that actually it was a pretty darn nice way to have a family vacation! So we're looking ahead - maybe 2014....? Since we live on the far side of the pond (so to speak) the Med cruises are really attractive, but so much $$. DH likes port-intensive, while I think more sea days would be great. In other words ... we'll see!

 

[gometros]

You had a great trip report! And it looked like you guys had A LOT of fun! Are you guys for sure doing another Cruise then?

I totally agree about the crowds for boarding and for waiting for dinner. My mom and I always get there early, but now I have large crowd issues I probably will make sure we get there on time or a little late.

When I boarded at noon, the line wasn't so bad. And the trick to avoiding the dinner crowds is to not arrive early, but rather a minute or two after the start time.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Well, the last Magic to Canada of 2012 has returned, and our ship is on it's way to Texas. Take good care of her, Galveston!

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/il/default.aspx?zoom=9&oldmmsi=308516000&olddate=9/20/2012 7:00:00 AM

Hope to get my last post up this weekend. I guess I can't jump right into a PTR for a trip that's only a "dummy booking" so far. But maybemaybe when the 2014 dates come out???

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Day 6: Disembarkment Day

As you might understand, I didn't take any notes about this day, nor did I take many pictures. Fortunately, I have a DH who loves getting up early, and he had a super experience between 4 and 6 am, watching the arrival into NY Harbor with a handful of other early risers!

Yes, we are back in New York!

I did get DS13 to pose with his lanyard and special birthday pins – thanks DCL and DIS FE group!

We didn't go to the MDR for breakfast (early dining meant 7 am breakfast – not compatible with 4 teenagers). We finished our packing, nudged the kids awake, and headed to Topsiders. We were cleared to disembark quite early (we were the second group, I think – Tinkerbelle), but we hung out for awhile longer. It was around 9 when we reluctantly got off. We claimed our suitcases (most had already been picked up in our Tinkerbelle area) and got through customs quite fast. We weren't sure how to find our pick up place, but no fear, as we approached curbside we were asked how we were being transported, and then we were directed to go up one level (large cargo elevator) for private car pickups. When we got upstairs, our ride was just arriving. We were back, full of happiness and stories and many, many memories.

So folks, that concludes my Trip Report. I thoroughly enjoyed planning to write - it gave me a reason to keep a journal, and to take kinds of pictures I may not have otherwise. And I thoroughly enjoyed writing it, too! It has helped make a relatively short trip into a really full experience! Thanks for reading along! Let's hope that DCL brings a ship back to NY in 2014!

 

[RGirl]

Boo - I'm sad it's over. Thanks for the great TR.

Do you think you will do another cruise??? And write another TR?

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Boo - I'm sad it's over. Thanks for the great TR.

Do you think you will do another cruise??? And write another TR?

Thank you, Roni!
I don't have anything nailed down yet, but there are two Disney events waiting to be planned! We did a dummy booking onboard so have that "spark" waiting to be fanned! Waiting to hear what the 2014 cruise itineraries look like! Also, I have a "secret" plan to do a BFF trip to the World with the girlfriends to celebrate our 50th birthdays. That would also be in about 2 years time. I'm not sure I can wait for both for 2 years, though. So ... you never know. I'm always keeping an eye open for an opportunity! Just a bit harder, living so far away as we do.
Guess for now I'll just live vicariously through the DIS reports~!

 

[cheryllarsen]

Great picture!

 

[cheryllarsen]

Just barely returned from our 7 day Alaskan cruise! It was a blast. Now we have to decide where to go next!!!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Just barely returned from our 7 day Alaskan cruise! It was a blast. Now we have to decide where to go next!!!

Thanks Cheryl! Where to go next, where to go next - that really IS the question!! It's so addictive, isn't it? Just need two things: time from work, and funding!

 

[jenseib]

Love the early morning pictures of the harbor....beautiful!
So sad it's over...but I took her from you and kept her in good shape!
I worried I would not like th magic as much after being on the bigger, newer Dream...but she was wonderful. I love every moment.
Thank you so much for sharing your trip. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I hope you can do that all girls trip. They are really fun...but a little addictive!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Love the early morning pictures of the harbor....beautiful!
So sad it's over...but I took her from you and kept her in good shape!
I worried I would not like th magic as much after being on the bigger, newer Dream...but she was wonderful. I love every moment.
Thank you so much for sharing your trip. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I hope you can do that all girls trip. They are really fun...but a little addictive!

Thanks!
Funny because I so enjoyed the Magic that I wonder if I would like the Dream or Fantasy as much because maybe they'd seem "too big"! I'm crossing my fingers for the girls' trip - wonder if my kids'd ever talk to me again if I go without them!

 

[rentayenta]

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

 

[cleophus12]

I'm still a little teary-eyed from your DS's MOST magical moment! That was great!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

I'm still a little teary-eyed from your DS's MOST magical moment! That was great!

Thanks! How amazing is it that a 15 year old boy can have Magic on DCL!